5 Facts Everyone Should Know About How Water Recycling Works

Recycled water is treated waste-water that has undergone filtration so as to remove impurities and solids. Water that has been disinfected in a water treatment plant can also be referred to as recycled water. This water comes from different sources such as rain water, industrial waste-water, and domestic sewage. The quality of recycled water is highly dependent on its source and level of treatment. Several terms are used to refer to recycled water include: treated sewage water, effluent water, treated effluent water and reclaimed water. Recycled water normally contains more nutrients and dissolved salts, which makes its use limited to irrigation of landscapes and recharging of groundwater aquifers. Below are a few things you should know about recycled water.

1- Safety Considerations

Class A reclaimed water is of similar or a higher quality compared to other alternative sources of water that are used for: irrigation, firefighting and road making. Considering the quality of Class A recycled water, the health of those using it will not be compromised if they are keen on personal hygiene. When using lower classes of recycled water, it is important to have in mind the set safety and health procedures so as to minimize direct exposure. Lower classes of recycled water may have some negative impact on the health of people using it. Waste-water is passed through numerous treatment processes before it can be consumed. These steps include biological treatment, screening, tertiary treatment, primary settling, and disinfection.

2- Using Recycled Water at Home

Environmental and health risks associated with Class A recycled water are minimal since it is treated specifically for use in the garden or house. When using recycled water in the house, ensure it is used in the toilet and laundry only. Lately, there has been an increase in the use of grey water in many households. Using water from the bathroom and laundry is not safe. This is because grey water contains a lot of micro-organisms; some of these organisms may cause diseases. Treated recycled water is much safer than grey water.

3- The Use of Recycled Water in Agriculture

Recycled water is safe for agricultural use. Class A recycled water can be used for irrigation since it exceeds all the health, and safety standards issued by the World Health Organization. This water is considered safe for unrestricted irrigation for all crops. Lower classes of recycled water are usually restricted to particular agricultural crops depending on the method of irrigation.

4- The Conservation of the Environment

When we take water from oceans and rivers to improve wetlands and irrigation, we consume part of our drinking water supply. By recycling water, and using it, we effectively minimize the risk of running out of drinking water. This ensures that future generations will never lack drinking water. Wetlands provide the environment with many benefits. They act as habitat for wildlife, provide safe breeding grounds for fish, and help diminish floods. Recycled water is added to dry wetlands for the purpose of reviving them to the lush habitats they were before.

5- Distribution of Recycled Water and Its Cost

Non-potable water is usually distributed through dual piping. This system of piping keeps reclaimed water pipes separate from other water pipes. In many cities around the world, reclaimed water is in high demand; people are only allowed to use it occasionally. The cost of recycled water is higher than that of potable water in places where fresh water is in plenty. Recycled water usually requires additional storage tanks, which adds on to the high costs of maintaining the system.

The water we have on Earth has been here since the Earth begun. This happened because of recycling by nature and human technology. Earth naturally recycles its water; however, human beings use technology to speed up the recycling process. One of the main advantages of recycling water is that it greatly reduces the need to use water from rivers, lakes, and dams. Recycling water helps us achieve the goals of sustainable development.